On a podcast with Emilie Steckenborn of LVMH China, she insisted that I meet with Robert Foye to discuss a podcast appearance. She insisted.

After 2 minutes on a call with Robert, I moved from chatting to scheduling. Despite conversations on the web about how the trade should be more innovative and rethink, Robert feels you need experience to move forward. How can you innovate without knowing the pitfalls of what came before? 

With Robert Foye, it is about leadership and adaptability. Hear it here.

Robert Foye doesn’t just bridge the world between Coca-Cola and Cabernet—he’s crossed it, mapped it, and poured a glass for the rest of us. If you think multinational beverage leadership and the romance of wine are oil and water, Foye’s the proof that sometimes, opposites blend perfectly. In this illuminating episode of Wine Talks, listeners embark on a journey through the tumultuous cycles and fascinating nuances of the wine business, as told by a leader who’s helmed both Accolade Wines and Treasury Wine Estates. You’ll learn why wine endures as a cultural ambassador, even as trends and consumption habits shift; how the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just pause the industry but rewrote its rules (and reawakened dormant talents at both the kitchen table and the boardroom). Foye deftly uncorks the challenges of marketing wine in today’s saturated landscape—offering a rare look at what works, and what falls flat, on the shelf and online. He’ll walk you through what sets wine apart from other consumer packaged goods, exploring the rich stories and personal connections that make sharing a bottle an experience unlike any other. Whether he’s recounting tales of adapting wine language for the next generation, weighing in on the role of private equity investments, or describing the unexpected kinship between a seasoned wine executive and the humble “second cheapest bottle,” Foye brings an insider’s wit and worldliness to every anecdote. You’ll come away not just with a deeper understanding of today’s wine market, but with a renewed sense of why, through its ups and downs, wine persists—linking land, language, and laughter with each pour. This conversation will leave you thirsty, not just for your next glass, but for the stories behind every label.

✅ Ever wonder why wine is so much more than just a drink? ✅ Dive into the art, business, and soul behind every bottle with host Paul Kalemkiarian and guest Robert Foye. ✅ From global industry shakeups to the magic of sharing a special glass, this episode of Wine Talks uncorks what makes wine irresistible—and why its story is far from over. ✅ Whether you’re a wine lover or business buff, you’ll leave with a new appreciation (and craving for the next pour). Listen now and sip on some real insights!

1. Accolade Wines https://www.accoladewines.com/

2. Treasury Wine Estates https://www.tweglobal.com/

3. Coca-Cola Company https://www.coca-colacompany.com/

4. Constellation Brands https://www.cbrands.com/

5. Diageo https://www.diageo.com/

6. Duckhorn (owned by The Duckhorn Portfolio) https://www.duckhorn.com/ Parent company: https://www.duckhornportfolio.com/

7. Silver Oak Cellars https://www.silveroak.com/

8. Sycamore Partners (private equity firm mentioned as a buyer) https://www.sycamorepartners.com/

9. Butterfly Equity (private equity firm mention: acquired Duckhorn) https://www.bfly.com/

10. Chateau Ste. Michelle https://www.ste-michelle.com/

11. Grocery Outlet https://www.groceryoutlet.com/

12. Barefoot Wine (Barefoot Cellars) https://www.barefootwine.com/

13. Pio Cesare https://www.piocesare.it/website.)

14. Song of America Wineshttps://songofamericawine.com/ (Mentioned as a referenced podcast/brand in Paul’s intro.)

 

#WineIndustry

#WineBusiness

#WineCulture

#WinePodcast

#WineInnovation

#Winemaking

#WineStorytelling

#WineLeadership